EB2 Playtest: Arverni

[Kull]

Here's a little Christmas present from the hard working EB2 Team to all those who have waited patiently these many years.....a short playtest of the Arverni faction. You've seen eye candy aplenty. Won't it be cool to actually see some of it in action? Here's the sitrep:

Faction: Arverni
Difficulty: medium-medium
Starting Provinces: 1
Starting Army: 4 FMs, 2 Cav, 7 Foot

Strategy: For this playtest I took a quick look at the financial details and noticed the "not unusual" EB1 situation of a poor faction with expenses roughly 4 times larger than income. The EB1 strategy would be to quickly conquer a few settlements (for a total of 3 or 4), and then play defense while recuperating from the huge negative income (a process that can often take many years). That should work right? How different can this be?

Here's the starting position. The capital (Gergouia) has 5 of my 13 units, with the rest sprinkled among three small stacks scattered across the home province of Ikoranda Uolkias. There's a small Aedui stack to the south - we're at war (what else is new?), and they don't care for us much. That's OK, the feeling's mutual. To the east is a small ungarrisoned rebel town - big mistake for those guys. Out of sight in Cisalpine Gaul, my diplomat and spy are off visiting family for the holidays. Put down the wine skins boys, we need you back home! Because somewhere to the north is the Aedui homeland, and it would be nice to see what's going on up there!

[Kull]

Here's my Faction Leader, Aneirin Aruernorigon, and his bad-ass bodyguard of 94 "Fierce Swords". I'd say the town of Lugdunon is ready to join with us, the "Superior Ones":

[Kull]

It's only a village, scarcely more than a few scrawny cows and some old women & children. We'll pass on the crazed looting and incorporate them (relatively) peacefully into the Arverni fold.

[Kull]

Now this is interesting. Some of the farmers in Lugdunon were overheard discussing the upcoming market days in the "nearby town of Uiennos", and sure enough our scouts confirmed the story. However, Diplomat "Barri" (wearing some god-awful duds that will absolutely get him laughed out of the next council meeting) passed through and reports that this particular target won't be easy pickings. At least seven defending units including Bataroi, Savage Riders, Fierce Swords, Spearmen and Noble Cavalry. On the other hand, this is Gaul and easy targets are few and far between. If the Arverni are going to expand the kingdom quickly, the best way to do it is by snapping up nearby settlements. High King Aneirin makes his decision:

"Summon all men from across the land - we will take this town from those Raetic dogs!"

[Kull]

The command from the north is unwelcome news to Belenos oi Lugos. His small army of 5 has been tracking a group of 3 Aedui raiders through southern Gaul and finally is positioned to attack them. But he does not know the composition of the enemy force. His lightly armed group of skirmisher cavalry and slingers could be in deep trouble if the enemy prove to be hardened spear or swordsmen. Casualties could prove heavy, and every man will be needed for the storming of Uiennos. And ultimately, Belenos is "Loyal" and "Reliable". Men with those traits do not disobey the orders of the King! Ignoring the grumbling of his men, Belenos marches them north east toward Uiennos.

[Kull]

Amminos oi Lugos, the leader of the Gergouia garrison, knows that "All men from across the land" includes his troops. There's only two Bataroi in the whole Kingdom, and they'll be needed if the attack on Uiennos is to succeed. Even one of the two slingers will have to go if victory is to be assured. That will strip the defenders to the bone, but it can't be helped. Amminos feels a certain disquiet in his bones, but after all this should only take two seasons...three at the outside.

[Kull]

All available troops are positioned within a season's march of Uiennos, and as Spring nears an end the Financial situation of the Kingdom is - as expected - not the best. We're building a new Arverni Allied government in Ludunon, while in Gergouia a road network is under construction and a new Bataroi is five turns away from joining our forces. Yes debt beckons, but that was ever the need, ever the risk, ever the only option in EB1. So then, so now.....

[Kull]

It is high summer (Turn 2) and the siege of Uiennos has begun. The Arverni have the advantage in units (9 to 7), but the Raetians make up for that in quality. This could be close. In the meantime, where is that Spy! We need intelligence...what are the Aedui doing along the northern border?

[Kull]

Conan arrives in Lugdunon at last, full of excuses as always. King Aneirin will have none of it, "Don't waste my time you lazy cur, off to the North and return quickly with news of the Aedui!" And this he does, but the information is unsettling. An 8 unit Aedui army is only a short distance to the North of Gergouia, but fortunately appears to be fixated on the rebel city of Auarikon. Meanwhile in the Aedui capital of Bibracte, a smaller 5 unit army serves as garrison. Portions of either could prove dangerous to the Arverni capital, but perhaps time is yet on our side. It matters little however - the die is cast, Uiennos is under siege and MUST be taken. But given the size of the Aedui forces, it's more imperative than ever to try and minimize casualties.

[Kull]

Summer comes to a close, and across the land preparations begin for the harvests to come. The Arverni finances are poor.

[Kull]

As the nights lengthen and the air grows chill (Turn 3), a new Toutarjo government is established in Lugdunon. Not the best long term choice as far as High King Aneirin is concerned, but it will keep the populace content until such time as finances and troop strength have improved, and this tribe can be bound closer.

[Kull]

But graver news arrives from the West. The Aedui raiders from the South, those self same men whom Belenos let slip so as to follow the King's Command, have appeared unlooked for in the river valley south of Gergouia. Conan - summoned in haste from the north, is able to skirt the enemy forces and confirm 2 Bataroi and a slinger. These are superior to the capital's garrison, but perhaps not too much so. These Aedui are not led by those of Noble Blood and may yet bypass the city, or perhaps dither and delay while awaiting orders from the North.

The High king ponders his choices. The Arverni troops at Uiennos have finished their ram and could attack, but word has already reached them of death and attrition among the defenders. Perhaps one more season of siege will reduce the risk and bring a less costly victory. Yes, Aneirin will wait. Ever his instincts have proven true. Surely they will not fail him now. But in the far reaches of his mind, a thought rises, unbidden..."Winter Aneirin! Winter is coming!"...he forces it back. Cold and chill, what of it?

[Kull]

In all his 54 years, the confidence of the High King had never been shaken, but this news was ill indeed. Messengers had arrived from the hills above Gergouia. The Aedui had not dithered, had not passed it by. His capital city was under siege. But there was more....and it was worse......

[Kull]

For three long seasons now, the Arverni King had been unable to pay those who served in his armies. Nor had there been raiding, pillaging, or sacking of cities to serve as a substitute. The bonds of personal service are strong among the Celts, but less so at the very bottom of the social pyramid. And so, hungry, freezing, fearing for the safety of distant farms and family, the men who comprised the 5 slinger units - almost 40% of the Arverni Army - had simply melted away with the first coming of the snows.

Which meant the narrow advantage held by the besiegers at Uiennos had been lost - flipping from 9 on 7 to 6 on 7. Once word reached the defenders, surely they would sally, and then all would be lost. To give up? To walk away? To lose all when victory was within reach? This was a bitter cup from which Aneirin could not, would not drink. He stood, and the old battle fires gleamed once again in his eyes. Reaching for his sword and summoning his faithful Gargokladioi, the High King cried out, "To me! We march to join our brothers outside the walls of Uiennos! And tonight we shall drink to our Victory in the Halls within!"

[Kull]

Sleep beckons, and I must answer. So tomorrow then, we shall see what fortune and fate hold in store for our brave Arverni brethren......

And yes, there at last you will see warriors in action. The time for talking is at an end.

[Vermin]

Outstanding! Can't trust those Aedui!

[LusitanianWolf]

Thank you very much for this! Its great to at last see EB2 put together and doing its magic!
The Klappagnetoi deserted because of winter?! I don't remember ever seing that happening in other mods, its a new Eb2 feature? How does it work?

Btw, why does the High King have a bodyguard of Gargokladioi? Are they goint to be Arverni stardard early bodyguards or just for him? And why Gargokladioi (medium swordsman) instead of a better armoured unit like Botoroi, Kombaragoues or Argoi?

Ayway, keep it coming, I'm loving it!

[Goth47]

Its looking bloody great, I am really looking forward to the general release. Rome 2 has been such a huge disappointment that EB2 for me is now THE ancient world game I crave. Keep up the great work guys you are putting the so called professionals that made Rome 2 to shame.

Goth

[Kull]

The High King leaves Lugdunon empty of all Arverni troops and joins the besiegers at Uiennos:

[Kull]

The assault begins. Odds are not the best, but brave hearts will surely overcome simple numbers!

[Kull]

Snow swirls around them as the high king and his Gargokladioi approach the walls of Uiennos:

[Kull]

Bataroi batter down the walls:

[Kull]

The Raetians stand well back from the walls, and wait until the Arverni infantry enter and begin to move down the glacis toward them. Only then do they unleash a storm of sling stones and javelins, stunning the leading Bataroi. At which point the Raetian Savage Swords and Savage Riders fall upon them with all the fury their name suggests:

[Kull]

Behind the Arverni infantry, cavalry under the command of Faction Heir Adcobrovatos and the trusty Belenos surge along the walls, seeking a path toward the rear of the force confronting the King and his infantry. But the road is blocked by the Lord of Uiennos and his Noble Cavalry. The Arverni do not delay, and hurl themselves upon the enemy - numbers are in our favor here, surely the contest will be swiftly decided!

[Kull]

But these Raetian horsemen are fighting for their homes and families - and the eye of their Lord is ever upon them. They do not quail, nor do they retreat - yet with every Arverni thrust, the Noble Cavalrymen see their numbers diminish.....but slowly...ever so slowly. And at last the Lord of Uiennos is cut off, surrounded....and falls! Only now do the last remnants of his bodyguard flee, but is there time yet for Adcobrovatos and his horsemen to save the day?

[Kull]

Suddenly a trumpet sounds loudly from back near the breach. Can it be? The High King summoning aid? There is no time now to wander twisting paths through this unknown town - Adcobrovatos and his horsemen give off the pursuit and turn back. But is it too late? On the slopes of the glacis, the Raetian infantry surge forward, surrounding the High King and his remaining defenders:

[Kull]

Racing toward the field of battle, the Arverni horsemen are confronted by a terrible vision - the strewn bodies of hundreds of their compatriots. Ahead, King Aneirin is surrounded and almost alone, swinging his sword amidst a sea of enemies:

[Kull]

A spear in the back! And the High King of the Arverni - the only king many of these men have ever known - crumples to the ground, his sword falling from his hand and the stillness of death stealing over his features. With a strangled cry in his throat and a white hot fury seething from his heart, Adcobrovatos - King Adcobrovatos - strikes his horse and leads the charge into the melee:

[Kull]

Spurring his horse into the midst of his enemies, lashing out furiously on all sides, the new High King of the Arverni is a stirring sight in the eyes of his remaining troops. But the fury of the few, no matter how intense, is a poor shield against the confidence and skill of the many. Raetian spearmen hold their ground, and the wild career of the Arverni horsemen brings only their own slaughter. The reign of King Adcobrovatos is brief. Within minutes he is struck down and - unable to rise - is speared again and again. As the Arverni hesitate, a fresh unit of Raetian Savage Horse attack up the slope and send the last of our troops fleeing in panic and grief:

[Kull]

It is a crushing defeat: